Covering the material needed to understand and write 32-bit Windows applications for Windows 95 and Windows NT 3.51, this work details Win32 application programming concepts, and techniques for the common Application Programming Interface (API) of Windows 95 and Windows NT. Basic methods of Windows message handling are covered, as are advances in mouse and keyboard input handling, and graphical output using the Graphics Device Intefrace (GDI).

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Review:

Win32 Programming, by Brent E. Rector and John M. Newcomer is a massive, 1,500-page guide to Win32 C programming, something of a lost art these days. Although even the authors admit they use C++ and MFC in their own work, this text, as a one volume document of the powerful Win32 API programming, is truly comprehensive and can replace any number of texts on a programmer's bookshelf. Win32 Programming examines the basics of programming in Windows: from a minimal skeleton program to aspects of the Win32 API, from graphics, menus, user interface components (including the Windows 95 common controls) to more advanced topics like memory management, multithreaded programming, and synchronization objects. (These last topics are useful in that system programmers--or those who write device drivers--may need access to the C API directly.) In addition to presenting reference material (including all the API calls themselves), the authors explain the ideas of how to program in a clearly written style. Though some of the material feels dated (from 16-bit Windows 3.x programming), by and large, the authors do a good job of updating this to Windows 95 and Windows NT. Sections and tips that apply only to one API or operating system are clearly marked. The CD-ROM also includes over 140,000 lines of source code to experiment with, truly a historical treasure trove for the Win32 C programmer. Developers who need to use C calls, or prefer to have printed documentation instead of online help in their compiler, should consider making space on the bookshelf for this enormous title.

From the Back Cover:

Windows developers: a thorough understanding of the Windows API will enable you to create applications that are elegant, efficient, and powerful.

You will find comprehensive information on all aspects of Windows GUI programming, such as:

Windows Controls, including the common controls

GDI, including new features like transformations and geometric pens

Printing, including a reusable print engine

Common dialogs, including customization

Background processing, including synchronization

In addition, the book covers such important advanced topics as creation of Dynamic Link Libraries, storage management, windows subclassing, the Multiple Document Interface (MDI), and threads and their synchronization.

More than just an introductory book, Win32 Programming is a reference to many of the more obscure and sometimes incomprehensible advanced features of the user interface and graphics subsystems. It is useful not only for C programmers but also for C++/MFC programmers because the API forms the basis for most MFC methods. The book's extensive and comprehensive index means you will never again have to search through pages of examples to find the example of the API function you want to see. This book is designed both to teach basic Windows programming and to be a useful companion for years to come.

This book comes in two volumes they both have the same ISBN. 0201634929 B04062001